how come that Greek and Roman soldiers have such perfect six packs??!!!?

Question

hey there,

i'm sure that many of you have noticed (whether it was on their marble statues or paintings or other resources) that Roman & Greek males are always with perfect muscular bodies and perfectly shaped six packs...cause as a gym member..i know this needs hard work to get (including good nutritional program, a personal trainer, etc...)

Answer 1

if you think about it around that time men did physical activity daily, not exercising but building, planting, care of animals, etc. Also back then, the junk food that we pollute our bodies with did not exist, neither did tv, computer, etc. just a thought.

Answer 2

The statues and paintings are following a trend of the times, idealism. If you were going to be immortalised in a permanent medium such as marble, wouldnt you want the artist to make you look as good as possible without losing the essence of the person. It was just the photo airbrushing of its time, face of the inspiration, body of a god. Most roman and greek soldiers were actually slighty overweight, you had to be to survive long possible wars in remote areas with scarce food and resources, and still be in good enough condition to fight.

Answer 3

The foot soldier carried up to 60 pounds of supplies for miles to a battlefield, so they probably had real strong backs and legs, which naturally would hold the stomach in proportion (slouching makes the middle look pudgy). However, in their art, they would try to portray the perfect person, the same as modern day artists do with comics and anime and advertisements. Ever see Superman with a pot belly? Or a Victoria's Secret woman with a muffin top?

Answer 4

1) It was their way of life, which included a lot of exercize since childhood. Even the food was based on pulses and grains mostly.
2) Good physical state was an ideal in their view of life. Statues represent that ideal - can't say that it's always true.
3) The genes. Also modern Greek are the same (deep inside perhaps ;-) )

Answer 5

Rome was the greatest civilization and empire in the world long before It's adoption of christianity. Conquering 2/5ths of the known world, establishing intercontinental trade, medical/health advances including indoor plumbing, artistry beyond compare for it's era and an Army of the worlds most tactically superior/best equipped soldiers ever seen in battle. These soldiers were commemorated in art and song and revered as the symbol of romes might. To see the profile of the Roman Legionnaire inspired pride in the citizens of Rome. It seems only natural for people who view them selves as power full personalities to adopt the Legionnaire" as their avatar. Perhaps it's the christian concept that nothing of consequence happened in human history prior to christianity that's preventing you from seeing that strong willed free thinking people would find such a symbol appealing as an avatar.

Answer 6

The sculptures represented ideals.

In the same fashion, Greek and Roman sculptures of adult females are never either flat-chested or saggy.

Answer 7

Why do all celebrities have perfect skin? A good photographer flatters his subjects; a good sculptor does too.

Answer 8

I am sure that they all didn't have 6 pks, just in the artist's and Hollywood's imagination.

Answer 9

Aint hollwood grand?

Answer 10

Back then there wasn't any cars, motorbikes, elevators, junk foods... :-p